DRC pushes ahead with electronic voting despite criticism

Authorities in Democratic Republic of Congo have unveiled an electronic voting machine that will be used in key elections this year, despite accusations that the technology could skew the outcome. 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) showed off the machine to reporters, saying it is essential for conducting presidential, legislative and local elections due on December 23. 

The opposition has rejected use of the voting machines, and has called on the commission to "lift suspicion about them by accepting certification by national and international experts." Meanwhile, the United States, said the voting machines could undermine the credibility of the polls. 

Analysts see the elections as crucial for the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since 2001, refused to step down in 2016 after his two terms in office, the maximum permitted under the constitution, expired.  

SOURCE: NEWS24
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